Chewy Coconut Oatmeal Cookie Sandwiches: The Ultimate Salted Caramel Delight

Let me start with a confession: I’ve always been a purist when it comes to cookies. My philosophy dictates that a cookie, in its perfect form, should be enjoyed unadorned. Frosting, in my humble opinion, belongs firmly on cakes and cupcakes. However, rules, as they say, are made to be broken – especially when the result is something as utterly irresistible as these **chewy coconut oatmeal cookie sandwiches**. These aren’t just cookies; they’re an experience, a revelation, and frankly, dangerously delicious.

My inspiration for this extraordinary treat came from a delightful source: National Ice Cream Month, and specifically, a beloved Ben & Jerry’s flavor called “Coconuts for Caramel.” The idea of combining the rich, tropical notes of coconut with the deep, buttery sweetness of caramel sparked an immediate craving. What better way to celebrate than by transforming these flavors into a bakeable masterpiece? The result is a symphony of textures and tastes: incredibly chewy coconut oatmeal cookies embracing a cloud of fluffy, perfectly balanced salted caramel buttercream. Prepare yourself, because these truly are dangerously good.

The Secret to Perfectly Chewy Coconut Oatmeal Cookies

The foundation of any great cookie sandwich is, of course, a phenomenal cookie. For these coconut oatmeal cream pies, getting the cookie just right is crucial. You’ll need to bake the cookies first, ensuring they cool completely before you even think about adding the luscious buttercream. This patience is rewarded with cookies that maintain their structure and chewiness.

My recipe calls for a specific blend of oats: a mix of quick-cooking oats and old-fashioned rolled oats. This isn’t just a random choice; it’s a deliberate technique to achieve the ultimate texture. The quick-cooking oats contribute to that satisfying, almost melt-in-your-mouth chewiness, while the old-fashioned rolled oats provide a wonderful, rustic texture and substance that prevents the cookies from becoming overly soft. Together, they create a balanced and delightful mouthfeel.

Another crucial tip for achieving peak chewiness is to slightly underbake your cookies. This might feel counterintuitive, but pulling them from the oven when the edges are just set and the centers still look a little soft will ensure they remain wonderfully chewy once cooled. Overbaking leads to dry, crumbly cookies, and that’s the last thing we want in a cookie sandwich. Using a cookie scoop is also a game-changer for consistency. It ensures all your cookie halves are roughly the same size, making for perfectly matched and aesthetically pleasing sandwich cookies.

Crafting the Irresistible Salted Caramel Buttercream

While your perfectly baked coconut oatmeal cookies are cooling to room temperature – and trust me, resist the urge to rush this step – you can prepare the star of the filling: the salted caramel buttercream. This buttercream is what elevates these cookies from delicious to absolutely divine. It’s light, fluffy, and boasts that perfect balance of sweet and salty that makes caramel so universally adored.

For the salted caramel, I often have a generous amount left over from making my Nanaimo bars, which is incredibly convenient. If you don’t have homemade salted caramel on hand, don’t fret! Many specialty grocery stores or even larger supermarkets now carry excellent quality jarred salted caramel sauce. Just make sure to choose one with a rich, buttery flavor to ensure the best results. The key to a truly fluffy buttercream is starting with softened butter at room temperature. This allows it to whip up beautifully with the powdered sugar, creating that airy texture we’re aiming for. Begin by beating the butter until it’s light and creamy, then gradually add the powdered sugar. Finally, beat in your salted caramel, starting with two tablespoons and adding more to taste until you achieve your desired caramel intensity. You’ll be amazed at how quickly this comes together!

Assembling Your Cookie Sandwich Masterpiece

Once your cookies are cool and your buttercream is whipped to perfection, it’s time for the magic to happen: assembly! This is the fun part where you truly transform individual components into a cohesive, delectable dessert. Simply take one cooled cookie, spread a generous dollop of salted caramel buttercream on its flat side – I usually go for about a tablespoon per cookie sandwich, but feel free to add as much or as little as your heart desires! Then, gently place another cookie on top, flat side down, and press lightly to create your perfect cookie sandwich.

The beauty of these chewy coconut oatmeal cookie sandwiches lies not just in their incredible flavor but also in their harmonious textures. The soft, chewy oats and subtle tropical hint of coconut in the cookie pair flawlessly with the smooth, rich, and slightly salty caramel buttercream. Every bite is a delightful combination: a gentle resistance from the cookie, followed by the creamy burst of caramel. They might not look overly fancy, but trust me, they were absolutely amazing.

Why These Cookie Sandwiches Are a Cut Above the Rest

I can confidently say that these cookie sandwiches quickly earned rave reviews. My brother, a notoriously tough critic, even declared these and my Nanaimo bars as the best desserts I’ve made so far this summer. That’s high praise indeed! The cookies, on their own, are a delightful stand-alone treat: perfectly chewy, with a pronounced but not overwhelming coconut flavor. They offer a comforting, wholesome taste that hints at the tropics without being “in-your-face.”

However, when these delightful cookies are paired with the salted caramel buttercream, they ascend to a whole new level of deliciousness. The combination creates a dessert that is soft, rich, and incredibly satisfying. The sweet and salty notes of the caramel beautifully complement the earthy oats and fragrant coconut, creating a complex flavor profile that makes you want to savor every single bite for as long as possible. It’s truly an elevated take on the classic oatmeal cream pie, infused with an exotic twist.

Tips, Variations, and Making Them Your Own

For those who might not be the biggest fans of coconut, or simply want to explore other options, these oatmeal cookies are incredibly versatile. You could easily omit the desiccated coconut from the cookie dough for a classic oatmeal cream pie experience, or even swap it out for a different mix-in like chocolate chips, walnuts, or dried cranberries. If you prefer a traditional cookie, try my equally chewy oatmeal raisin cookies – they are just as satisfyingly chewy on their own!

**Storage Tips:** These cookie sandwiches are best stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. For optimal chewiness and flavor, let them come to room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before serving. You can also freeze the assembled cookie sandwiches for longer storage; just wrap them individually in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Thaw them in the refrigerator overnight or at room temperature for a few hours before enjoying.

**Ingredient Notes & Substitutions:**

• **Flour:** While bread flour provides an excellent chewy texture, all-purpose flour can be used if that’s what you have on hand. The texture might be slightly different, but still delicious.
• **Coconut Oil:** The extra virgin coconut oil really enhances the coconut flavor. If you don’t have it, you can substitute with an equal amount of unsalted butter, but you’ll lose some of that distinct coconut aroma.
• **Sugars:** The combination of brown sugar and granulated sugar contributes to both moisture and chewiness. Feel free to adjust the ratio slightly based on your preference for deeper molasses notes from brown sugar.
• **Salted Caramel:** As mentioned, homemade is fantastic, but a good quality store-bought caramel sauce works perfectly. For an extra kick, a sprinkle of flaky sea salt on the buttercream before sandwiching can intensify the salted caramel experience.

A Dessert That Redefines Expectations

These chewy coconut oatmeal cookie sandwiches are more than just a recipe; they are an invitation to reconsider what a cookie can be. They challenge my long-held belief that cookies should stand alone, proving that with the right combination of flavors and textures, frosting can indeed belong on a cookie – especially when that frosting is a rich, salty-sweet salted caramel buttercream. They are perfect for sharing at gatherings, as a special treat for lunchboxes, or simply to enjoy with a cup of coffee or tea. Go ahead, give them a try, and prepare to be utterly charmed by this unique and unforgettable dessert.